Distinctly Montana Magazine

29 w w w . d i s t i n c t l y m o n t a n a . c o m the trek to be educational for her future pupils. Throughout the entire journey Lucia kept a detailed diary. The diary outlined the route they took, the Indians they encountered, the historic landmarks they passed, the daily chores that had to be done, and the weather patterns. Lucia and her family started their travel via railroad from Tall- madge to Chicago, then on to Quincy and St. Joseph. From there they boarded a riverboat and floated along the Missouri River to Omaha. Lucia described Omaha as an "isolated fron- tier town, built largely of logs with few houses more than one story in height. The great territorial capital of the bluff looked down upon the little hamlet, keeping over its citizens, watch and ward." The trip from Omaha west was made by covered wagon. As was customary, the party was joined by other wagon trains heading in the same direction. Lucia introduced herself to the members and hoped they would all become fast friends. The wagon train would venture more than 500 miles across the vast prairie to its final destination. One of Lucia's first journal entries describes how exhausting the trip would be to make: June 16— Our camp life has commenced and I am lying here on my back in a covered wagon with a lantern standing on the mess box at the back end of it. Have pinned back the curtain so as to let the light shine in but it is so situated that I have to hold my book much above my head to see. Will write 'till the light goes out. We left the Herndon tonight after tea our wagons having gone on some hours before. Most of the oxen are young—never having been driven before and they were determined to go every way but the right way. The drivers— Gridley, Chipman, Booth, and Harry Tilden were completely tired out trying to drive them. They scurried perfectly wild and ran from one side to another of the road, smashed through fences and final- ly broke one yoke in pieces. Poor weather conditions posed numerous problems for the pi- oneers. Learning how to keep precious belongings safe from a light rain as well as keeping food dry during torrential down- pours wasn't an easy task. According to notes Lucia made in her journal in mid-June 1863, a storm hit just as the sojourners were preparing to set up camp one evening: June 17— Wednesday. We truly had quite a time yes- terday and today has been a continuation of the same thing. . . . Went about three miles and camped on a small creek for the night. Uncle Edgerton and Gridley guarding the cattle. We hardly had time to get our things ready for the night when it commenced to blowing terribly—the thunder and lightning indicating a dreadful shower. Here I stand with my back against the front curtains of the wagon to keep it from blowing in and writing by the light of the Twenty-seven-year-old Lucia Darling BARELY NOTICED THE SPECTACULAR SCENERY AS SHE PARADED DOWN THE MAIN THOROUGHFARE OF TOWN. THE HOPEFUL SCHOOLMARM WAS PREOCCUPIED WITH THE IDEA OF FINDING A SUITABLE PLACE TO TEACH.

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